4-5-22 Well how interesting our human species is. We now have a war to help us take our minds off of Covid. Yet, overwhelm and heartbreak continue, albeit with a different focus. I have heard many folks sharing how once again they are experiencing overwhelm and hopelessness. Yet, neither of those is our only option. I find that when I dwell in my heart, I am always better equipped and more resilient to handle whatever is going on. Which is good because it seems the “whatevers” are endless.
Overwhelm and hopelessness occur when there is too much information coming at me and my brain has no choice but to take me down its reptilian paths of fight or flight. A heart connection allows me to align with love which brings ease, strength, and peace, even in the midst of tough stuff. When I take action I feel more empowered because I am doing something, and then I usually feel more hopeful, too.
So I share the following two extremely useful actions:
The first is a meditation [go to the end] put out by The HeartMath Institute that people all over the world are joining in for. You might have doubts that one individual doing meditation can make a difference and stop a war but Heartmath has researched the benefits and positive changes that occur when we are in our hearts, not only for us but on a global level. And yes, 1 person makes a difference! The intention for the meditation is on the Ukraine and they have asked folks to join them every day at noon PST, focusing specifically on collective compassion. The more folks that get into their hearts and add to the collective field of energy the greater the positive influence in the world. You will still make a peaceful and powerful impact if you can’t join in at that time and choose a different time to do the following meditation, or even if you choose to do an entirely different meditation. As long as you’re experiencing the feeling of love while you’re doing it, and therefore holding and sending compassion to yourself and others, your energy will join the collective consciousness and make a powerful difference.
The second is a question to ask yourself. Perhaps you believe there is nothing you can do about world violence. I disagree with this and Heartmath Institute, based on the results from its research, would also disagree. As an individual the energy I put out into the world always affects it, and that added to everyone else’s energy is what affects the world and has its own creation energy. So the question to ask ourselves is, “In what ways am I at war with myself?” In other words, I ask you to gently but honestly examine the thoughts of violence you impose on yourself.
For myself, that happens every time I make myself small or less than, or don’t believe in myself, or am unkind to myself (and others) in word or deed or when I ignore my own needs. My list could go on and on…how about yours? By the way, I want to give Stew credit for this question. I extracted it from one of his podcasts (which is “Stewonthis” if you haven’t checked them out. I may be biased but I think they’re amazing).
That is why it is so vital, dear friends, that you and I do everything we can right now to learn how to hang out in our hearts more. Okay, that’s is a third thing we can do towards useful action and change but I talk about theat everytime I put something out here in print, don’t I? Today is a good day...and I make it so!
Care Focus Collective Compassion for Ukraine
1. Start with quiet breathing while radiating feelings of love and care for someone, a pet, nature, etc. This helps open and warm the heart which increases the effectiveness of the Care Focus.
2. Now, let’s send our deepest care and compassion to people directly affected by the Russia-Ukraine war. This includes the people of Ukraine, soldiers and refugees, many people in Russia who are saddened with pain in their hearts regarding the invasion, and many others throughout the planet.
3. Next, send compassion and gratitude to the people and countries taking in millions of refugees. Send heart that those who support this war might open their hearts to the pain the war is causing and realize the setback it is inflicting on nations, much less the world community.
4. Now, see our deep heart’s care contributing to a global heart awakening of collective compassion that’s on the rise as a result of this war.
5. Let’s close by envisioning that humanity will realize that war is a thing of the past and that we need to come together in the heart to work things out.
Adapted with permission. Originally published by the HeartMath Institute for the Global Coherence Initiative Care Focus